Nelly Recchia is a makeup artist who originally hails from France, and although you might not know of her by name, chances are good that you may have seen her work in videos for Marilyn Manson, Britney Spears, Skinny Puppy, Madonna, etc.

She is a multi-award winner in European makeup and body art competitions, and moved to Los Angeles where she collaborates on music videos and promos for the aforementioned stars and also for editorials, commercials, and fine art photography.

There is also an editorial spread featuring her and her work in the most current publication of MARQUIS on the shelves.

Nelly's work is achieved solely by her brushes and hours of hard work. In this day and age of digital technology, none of her body paintings that you see are the result of computer manipulation or enhancement.

Elisabeth Suicide: How did you get started and why did you decide to paint bodies ?

Nelly Recchia: I started a few years ago. I was unfulfilled with studies in languages and philosophy at the time so I decided to follow my heart and pursue an artistic career.

I have had a huge passion for arts since I was little, always drawing, building things, and pretending I was part of the circus in my family's backyard and putting on circus shows for my parents. My mom said I was doing very strange makeup on my dolls!!! (I don't recall that one).

So I went to a makeup school in France and when we studied body painting, I quickly realized how powerful the combination of paint and the human body was.

ES: You've done work for artists and musicians on various collaborations. Tell me about the most difficult project you've worked on. What was rewarding about it? What was most surprising?

NR: The most difficult was in fact a personal project, the image called Bushido (on my website). It took me 13 hours and the studio was very hot and my back was in pain!! Technically, it was a complex one.

The most surprising may be the result of long hours of work on crazy makeup and body paintings for a scene in an upcoming movie with Robert Downey, Jr. called "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang". I had to conceptualize all the makeup for a particular scene, and was surrounded by a great team of makeup artists, set and costume designers, and dancers to help me make this vision come true.

It was like being in a surreal, twisted "Christmas-ey/fetish-ey world".

As far as the reward, I think that people are eaten alive by the ego. I try not to fall into this trap and remain as humble as I can. One always has to learn and better one's self on every level. I am so emotionally involved with my work that I cannot have an objective view about it. I always think I can do better. I always want to.

ES: Where do some of the ideas for your work come from? What inspires you? Do you have any dreams or any surprising influences that give you any ideas?

NR: Well, I have a tremendous respect and admiration for the Italian masters of the Baroque period such as Bernini or Caravaggio. I technically love Sorayama's work, as well as Olivia's. I can also be inspired by films from Cronenberg to Gans (Brotherhood of the Wolf) or just by listening to music. I love Rammstein, for example.

My brain is full of images and I never dream about my ideas but it has happened that I will wake up suddenly in the middle of the night with the urge to sketch an idea that came to my mind like a flash. This process of ideas coming to you is quite enigmatic, I saw an interview with David Lynch and he was explaining it way better than I could. It is also experienced differently from one person to another.

ES: What other occupations do you have and have had in the past?

NR: I am lucky that makeup is my passion and that it is also what is putting food on the table! I am teaching often in a makeup school with students from all over the world, which is so nice, but right now I am mainly concentrating on my body painting work. There is a growing demand from people who see my work for books, prints, posters, and calendars. I am actually looking for the right publishing company to have a book out... hopefully soon!

ES: So obviously, you've heard of Suicide Girls. What do you like about the site?

NR: I was surfing on internet and was looking at a piercing site and there was a link to SG. I like Suicide Girls because it is different, the girls have personality and overall, it goes against the stereo types of "beauty" that everyone feels almost forced to follow in order to avoid rejection.

ES: So what are you working on at this moment? What future projects are in the works?

NR: I am working on creating a large amount of images with my work in order to get a publishing company to release a book in the future.

ES: Is there a particular model, actor or actress, personality (famous or otherwise) that you are dying to work with and why? What is beautiful to you?

NR: I don't have a particular type and I don't want to fall into the trap of my work being validated because of celebrities names. I do believe that the priority to someone's work is talent. In every field, we can see mediocre work done by people with good connections. I think the word "art" is used very loosely now. It's a big lake of techniques, originality and emotions.

Nowadays, everyone thinks he or she is a genius because of a blue dot on the white canvas! However, I wouldn't mind collaborating on visuals for a Rammstein video, NIN or someone like Bjork. I would love to see the work of Kurt Wenner in real scale, it is so impressive. I, of course, love JL Robbins's paintings, and recently I have discovered Michael Hussar's work. They are part of a very small proportion of artists who know how to combine emotions and true skills.

As far as my definition of beauty, I prefer someone with charisma, style and personality to a so called perfect piece of plastic. I am sad and somewha angry about this fascism of beauty and youth (especially in Los Angeles). I come from a culture where aging is considered a gracious thing, and I also think that instead of having women feel like "sisters", this whole beauty competition makes them enemies. Females should be smarter than this. For my work, I love to have ballet dancers as human canvasses. And sincerely, I think some of the SG would be great models too.

ES: Let's talk makeup for a moment. Is there anything that irritates you, are there any makeup tips that you would like to share? I admit that I can be charmed by some claims of the beauty industry, as everyone wants to find their fountain of youth in a jar, etc. What makeup do you use for your work and would you ever consider formulating a line of makeup on your own?

NR: I am disappointed each time I am done with a new body painting because I always think I could have done better. Makeup tips...there are very appealing vibrant colors on the market right now, intense aqua eye-shadow, for example, which looks nice at the beauty store's counter but could be a disaster when not applied by an expert 's hand!! Using earth tones is usually a good way to avoid making a mistake.

And the quest of eternal youth ...we are ALL into it, I think it is a permanent obsession in the history of mankind, if we think about ancient Egypt, for instance. I am using different brands of makeup, and often the most expensive does not mean the best quality. No, I have never considered a line of my own makeup .

ES: Whose work do you like? You'd mentioned how David Lynch had explained the process of ideas better than you could. Is he someone that you would love to work with someday?

NR: Kevyn Aucoin had an undeniable talent and I admire overall his kind and humble side. Concerning behind the scenes work I like, it is such a blast now with DVD extras to get to see making of movies. I am particularly impressed by the making of "the Brotherhood of the Wolves". So much sweat, pain, passion and determination involved. I also love to listen to David Cronenberg, about his ways to film, his concepts and sharp ideas. He is a very intelligent man.

Concerning David Lynch, I would enjoy working with him but having a conversation on arts and the human condition would be even better!

ES: What is one piece of advice would you give someone who is interested in pursuing a career in makeup here in Hollywood? Something maybe that you wish you would have known while you coming here getting started?

NR: Everyone's path is so different, but I would say that the most important is to have a genuine passion. Pursuing a make up career is not glitter and glamour all the time. I would also insist on showing personality in the work and not copying others' work. We are all influenced by something or someone but it is crucial to find your own style.

ES: You had mentioned merchandise before, that people have been inquiring about books, prints, posters, calendars. What can we purchase from you?

NR: All information is on my website at www.nellyrecchia.com. Right now, prints are available on request . And hopefully, if I am published by a big company, one will find my work everywhere !!!